Application of l-cysteine-capped nano-ZnS as a fluorescence probe for the determination of proteins

Nanometer-sized l-cysteine-capped ZnS particles have been synthesized and used as a fluorescence probe to investigate the effect of proteins on fluorescent intensity. With =190 nm, maximum and constant synchronous fluorescence enhancement was produced at 267 nm and pH 5.12 in the presence of proteins. A highly sensitive synchronous fluorescence method for the rapid determination of proteins has been developed. Under optimum conditions, calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.03–8.0 g mL^–1 for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 0.01–6.0 g mL^–1 for human serum albumin (HSA), 0.05–8.0 g mL^–1 for -globulin (-G), and 0.04–4.0 g mL^–1 for ovalbumin, respectively. The relative standard deviations of seven replicate measurements were 1.75% for 1.0 g mL^–1 BSA, 1.90% for 1.0 g mL^–1 HSA, 1.65% for 1.0 g mL^–1 -G, and 2.32% for 1.0 g mL^–1 ovalbumin.     

Determination of Dextromethorphan and Dextrorphan in Human Urine by High Performance Liquid Chromatography for Pharmacogenetic Investigations

The aim of the present study was to develop a sensitive method to measure dextromethorphan and dextrorphan in urine by HPLC to support pharmacogenetic studies in ethnic groups. Linearity was assessed in the range: 0.015–10 g mL^–1 for dextromethorphan and 1-10 g mL^–1 for dextrorphan. Inter and intra-day coefficients of variation were < 10%. Limits of detection and quantitation were 0.003 g mL^–1 and 0.015 g mL^–1 for dextromethorphan and 0.24 g mL^–1 and 1.0 g mL^–1 for dextrorphan, respectively. The method is reliable in helping determine the phenotype of Mexican ethnic groups using model drugs such as dextromethorphan.     

Differential pulse voltammetric methods for the simultaneous estimation of uranium-iron and uranium-cadmium mixtures in solution

Differential pulse voltammetric methods have been developed for the simultaneous estimation of the constituents of uranium-iron and uranium-cadmium mixtures in solution. A mixture of 1M H₃PO₄–1M KH₂PO₄ (with a pH1.5), was found to be the most ideal supporting electrolyte for both methods, among many that were evaluated for their suitability. In uranium-iron mixtures the calibration for iron was found to be linear up to 150 g ml^–1 (r²=0.9986), while that of uranium up to 500 g ml^–1 (r²=0.999). Iron at 6.7 g ml^–1 level could be determined in the presence of 800 fold uranium (wt/wt) without significant interference. Uranium at 21 g ml^–1 level could be analyzed with 5-fold iron (wt/wt). This upper limit of iron was due to the precipitation of iron as phosphate. In the case of uranium — cadmium mixtures, cadmium calibration for cadmium was found to be linear up to 1300 g ml^–1 (r²=0.9993). Concentration levels of 4.6 g ml^–1 Cd could be determined at a 500-fold excess (wt/wt) of uranium. Uranium calibration was linear up to 500 g ml^–1 (r²=0.999) and 21 g ml^–1 uranium could tolerate up to a 1000-fold excess of cadmium (wt/wt). Both procedures could tolerate 10 g ml^–1 levels of metal ions, such as chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum and vanadium.     

Characterization of airborne particulates by laser microprobe mass analysis

Summary Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to characterize aerosol particles collected and separated from 16m to 0.06m by a low pressure cascade impactor. Positive ion LAMMA spectra showed characteristic molecular peaks such as PbCl⁺, a series of Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ and NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, and TiO⁺ in 0.06–0.12m, 0.5–1m and 4–8m fraction, respectively. In the negative ion LAMMA spectra, it was observed that the fragment peaks of sulfate ions were deficient above 2m and those of nitrate ions were deficient under 2m. LAMMA allows remarkable insights into the chemical nature of aerosol particles.

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Charakterisierung luftgetragener Teilchen durch Laser-Microprobe-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Laser-Microprobe-Spektrometrie (LAMMS) wurde zur Analyse atmosphärischen Aerosols herangezogen, welches im Korngrößenbereich zwischen 16m und 0.06m mit einem Niederdruckkaskadenimpaktor fraktioniert gesammelt wurde. Positive LAMMS-Spektren zeigten charakteristische molekulare Peaks, wie etwa PbCl⁺, eine Serie von Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ und NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, sowie TiO⁺ in der 0,06–0,12-m,- 0,5–1–m- bzw. 4–8-m-Fraktion. In den negativen LAMMS-Spektren konnten über 2m keine Fragmentpeaks für Sulfationen, unter 2m. keine für Nitrationen beobachtet werden. LAMMS ermöglicht eine bemerkenswerte Einsicht in die chemische Natur von Aerosolteilchen.

     

Optically active triosmium clusters containing the cysteine ligand

The reactions of cysteine ethyl ester with a series of triosmium clusters have been studied. Enantiomeric (-H)Os₃{-SCH₂CH(CO₂Et)NH₂}(CO)₁₀ and diastereomeric (-H)Os₃{-²-SCH₂CH(CO₂Et)NH₂}(CO)₉ forms of the optically active cluster complexes have been obtained. Diastereomeric clusters have been separated by TLC on Silufol plates. The treatment of the enantiomeric complex (-H)Os₃{-SCH₂CH(CO₂Et)NH₂}(CO)₁₀ with the trimethylamine oxide yields the diastereomeric pair (-H)Os₃{-²-SCH₂CH(CO₂Et)NH₂}(CO)₉. The structures of the complexes obtained have been established on the basis of IR,¹H NMR and mass spectrometry as well as X-ray analysis data.Translated fromIzyestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1981–1984, November, 1993.     

Hydrogen profiling in thin films using coincident ERD

By using the coincident measurement, an ERD method has been established and used for hydrogen profiling in thin foils. In the present study, 6 MeV has been used as incident particle, the scattered and the recoiled proton from one collision were coincidentally detected at 150 (proton) and 173.9 (). This method has been used for hydrogen profiling of 5.6 m Mylar and 8.6 m aluminium foils. Because of the coincident measurement, the background is largely reduced, and its minimum detection limit is about 0.5% (atomic), lower than the conventional ERD method. The measured depth resolution in 5.6 m Mylar is 0.6 m. It is possible to use this method for hydrogen profiling in thin foils of several micron thickness.     

LC Method for the Determination of Multiple Components in a Compound Cold Formulation

An isocratic liquid chromatographic method for determination of acetaminophen (AMP), caffeine (CAF), chlorphenamine maleate (CPM) and guaiacol glyceryl ether (GGE) in a compound cold formulation is described. Separation and quantitation were achieved on a Diamonsil C18 column using a binary mixture of methanol and 1.5% aqueous acetic acid (55: 45, v/v, pH 3.6) as mobile phase delivered at 0.4 mL min^–1. Single wavelength detection was at 220 nm for all four drugs and the run time was < 10 min. The linearity, accuracy and precision of the method were found to be acceptable over the concentration ranges: 16.0–127.8 g mL^–1 for AMP, 6.0–48.2 g mL^–1 for CAF, 5.0–40.0 g mL^–1 for CPM and 10.1–80.6 g mL^–1 for GGE.     

Determination of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan in urine by capillary zone electrophoresis: Application to the determination of debrisoquin-oxidation metabolic phenotype

Summary A capillary zone electrophoresis method has been developed for the determination of dextromethorphan and its metabolite, dextrorphan, in urine. A linear relationship was observed between the peak area and the concentration of both dextromethorphan and dextrorphan within the range of 490 ng mL^–1 to 500 g mL^–1 with a correlation coefficient of greater than 0.9999. The limit of detection was 80 ng mL^–1 for both compounds. The inter-day coefficients of variation for the concentrations of 2.5 g mL^–1 and 50 g mL^–1 were 6.2% and 4.1% for dextromethorphan, and 5.6% and 2.8% for dextrorphan (n=15). The method could be applied directly to the determination of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan in human urine without any sample pretreatment for the elimination of interfering compounds as is required in published highperformance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography methods. Using dextromethorphan as a probe of the debrisoquin-oxidation metabolic phenotype, the 44 healthy volunteers were phenotyped after oral administration of a 15 mg dose using both this capillary electrophoresis method and a high-performance liquid chromatography assay from the literature. Good agreement was found between the two methods.     

Quantitative chemical analysis on paper. I

Summary A method has been proposed for the determination of small quantities of Cl^–, SCN^– and I^– in mixtures. The method is based on the use of filter paper evenly impregnated with Ag₂CrO₄. The method permits the determination of 5 to 50g of Cl^–; 15 to 100g of I^– and 10 to 150g of SCN^– with an accuracy of 1.5%.The method may also be used for determination of SCN^– alone.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren für die Bestimmung kleiner Mengen Chlorid, Rhodanid und Jodid in deren Gemischen wird vorgeschlagen. Es beruht auf der Verwendung eines mit Silberchromat gleichmäßig imprägnierten Filtrierpapierstreifens und ermöglicht die Bestimmung von 5 bis 50g Chlorid,15 bis 100g Jodid und 10 bis 150g Rhodanid mit einer Genauigkeit von 1,5%. Das Verfahren kann auch für die Bestimmung von Rhodanid allein verwendet werden.

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Résumé On a proposé une méthode pour le dosage de petites quantités de Cl^–, SCN^–, et I^– en mélanges. La méthode est fondée sur l'emploi d'un papierfiltre uniformément imprégné d'Ag₂CrO₄. Elle permet le dosage de 5 à 50g de Cl^–, 15 à 100g d'I^– et de 10 à 150g de SON^–, à la précision de 1,5%. On peut aussi utiliser la méthode pour le dosage de SCN^– seul.

     

The determination of boron in biological materials by neutron irradiation and prompt gamma-ray spectrometry

A prompt-gamma neutron activation technique has been developed using the (n, ) apparatus situated at the O degree through-tube of the Imperial College CONSORT II Reactor with a thermal neutron flux at the target position of approximately 2×10⁶ n cm^–2 sec^–1, and a Compton-suppression system involving a lithium-drifted germanium (Ge(Li)) detector and a sodium iodide anti-Compton shield. Boron levels of 1–5 g g^–1 (detection limit 0.05 g B for 10,000 sec period of measurement) can be attained using the Compton-suppression system with graphical inter-polation correction for the 472 keV sodium-ray peak contribution to the Doppler-broadened 478 keV boron gamma-ray peak resulting from the¹⁰B(n, )⁷Li reaction. Very good agreement is reached for boron levels compared using this system for various Standard Reference Materials and other published values. Measurement of the boron content of bone and tooth samples from rheumatoid arthritis individuals shows lower levels, (p<0.05); 16.13±7.53 g g^–1, when compared with a control population; 19.79±4.18 g g^–1. A positive correlation existed between the boron content of bone and tooth material for each study group. Results indicate that boron availability may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Role of metal center in reactions of polynuclear nickel(ii) and cobalt(ii) trimethylacetates with 8-amino-2,4-dimethylquinoline

The reactions of 8-amino-2,4-dimethylquinoline (L) (1) with polynuclear nickel(ii) and cobalt(ii) hydroxotrimethylacetato complexes under anaerobic conditions were studied. The nonanuclear cluster Ni₉(₄-OH)₃(₃-OH)₃(_n-OOCCMe₃)₁₂(HOOCCMe₃)₄ gave the mononuclear complex Ni(²-L)(²-OOCCMe₃)₂ (2). The tetranuclear complex Ni₄(₃-OH)₂(-OOCCMe₃)₄(²-OOCCMe₃)₂(EtOH)₆ produced the mononuclear complex Ni(²-L)(²-OOCCMe₃)(OOCCMe₃)L (3). At room temperature, the cobalt-containing polynuclear trimethylacetates, viz., the polymer [Co(OH) _n (OOCCMe₃)_2–n ] _x and the tetranuclear complex Co₄(₃-OH)₂(-OOCCMe₃)₄(²-OOCCMe₃)₂(EtOH)₆, were transformed into the trinuclear cobalt(ii) complex Co₃(₃-OH)(-OOCCMe₃)₄(²-L)₂(OOCCMe₃) (4). Meanwhile, at 80 °C these compounds generated the binuclear cobalt(iii) complex Co₂(₂²-(HN)C₉NMe₂)₂(-OOCCMe₃)(L)(OOCCMe₃)₃ (5). The structures of the resulting compounds were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 2—4 exhibit the antiferromagnetic spin-spin exchange coupling, whereas compound 5 is diamagnetic.     

Application of the photoionization detector for single determinations of hydride forming elements

The application of a photoionization detector in conjunction with a flow-through system is described for the determination of arsenic, antimony, selenium, tellurium, bismuth, tin, sulfide and ammonia. The analytical procedure is based upon a preliminary generation of the hydride compounds, their subsequent transfer to the gas phase and finally their detection in the photoionization detector. Linear calibration curves were obtained over three to four orders of magnitude with the following 3s-detection limits: 4 ng/ml As, 0.3 ng/ml Sb, 0.5 ng/ml Se, 3.0 ng/ml Te, 0.1 g/ml Bi, 0.5 g/ml Sn, 10.0 ng/ml S^2–, 0.5 g/ml NH₃.     

Continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction of cadmium from legumes and dried fruit samples coupled with on-line preconcentration-flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Cadmium was continuously extracted with diluted nitric acid from legumes and dried fruit samples using a simple, rapid and continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction system. A minicolumn packed with a chelating resin (Chelite P, with aminomethylphosphoric acid groups) was placed between the extraction unit and the detector for cadmium preconcentration. The cadmium content in the acid extract was retained into the minicolumn, and elution was carried out with hydrochloric acid, with this trace metal continuously monitored by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. An experimental design (Plackett-Burman 2⁶×3/16) was used to optimize the continuous leaching procedure and the preconcentration step. The method allowed a total sampling frequency of 10 and 14 samples per hour for legumes and dried fruit, respectively. The procedure displayed good precision (2.0 and 2.5%, respectively, expressed as relative standard deviations) for samples containing 0.202±0.005 g g^–1 Cd (broad bean) and 0.239±0.004 g g^–1 Cd (peanut). Detection limits of 0.014 g g^–1 Cd for 60 mg of legume samples and 0.011 g g^–1 Cd for 80 mg of dried fruit samples were obtained. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of cadmium in legumes and dried fruit samples.     

Development and validation of a novel HPLC/ELSD method for the direct determination of tobramycin in pharmaceuticals,plasma, and urine

A novel method for the direct determination of the aminoglycoside tobramycin was developed and validated based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). Using a Waters ODS-2 C18 Spherisorb column with an evaporation temperature of 45°C and nitrogen pressure of 3.5 bar, the selected mobile phase consisted of water/acetonitrile 55:45 containing 1.5 mL L^–1 HFBA (11.6 mM) in an isocratic mode at a rate of 1.0 mL min^–1. Tobramycins retention time was 4.3 min with an asymmetry factor of 1.7. A logarithmic calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 38 g mL^–1 (r > 0.9998). LOD was 0.3 g mL^–1; within-day %RSD was 1.0 (n = 3, 4.7 g mL^–1) and between-day %RSD was 1.1 (3 days within a week). The developed method was applied to the determination of tobramycin in a pharmaceutical crude substance and formulations (eye drops and ointments). Dilution experiments revealed the absence of interference from excipients (no constant and proportional errors); recovery from spiked samples was 99–103% with %RSD < 2.2 (n = 3×3). The developed HPLC/ELSD method was also found to be applicable in the determination of tobramycin in human plasma (0.6–12.5 g mL^–1) and urine (1.5–12.5 g mL^–1) after solid-phase extraction using carboxylate cartridges followed by solvent evaporation (×2 preconcentration). A mean recovery of 86% for plasma and 91% for urine was obtained.     

Determination of 6-amino-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxepan-5-ol by postcolumn derivatization witho-phthalaldehyde/2-mercapto-ethanol after ion-pair chromatography

Summary A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is discribed for the determination of 6-amino-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxepan-5-ol using Spherisorb ODS II stationary phase and mobile phase 30:70 (v/v) methanol: aqueous 1-octane sulfonic acid. Detection was fluorimetric following postcolumn derivatization with o-phthaladehyde/2-mercaptoethanol. The procedure was applied to the analysis of aqueous solutions and microcrystalline suspensions in liquid paraffin, prepared for investigation of the toxicological profile. The method was validated for selectivity, linearity of detector response, repeatability, limit of detection and quantitation. The HPLC method was selective. The instrumental limit of detection was 0.5 ng per injection (0.05 g mL^–1). The method detection limits were 0.5 g mL^–1 aqueous solution and 5 g mL^–1 liquid paraffin suspension, the quantitation limit 0.05 mg mL^–1 aqueous solution and 1.0 mg mL^–1 liquid paraffin. Linearity was within 0.94–47.1 g mL^–1. Intra-assay accuracy accounted for 99–100% in the range 0.05–226 mg mL^–1 aqueous solution, intra-assay precision for 2% (C.V.). For microcrystalline liquid paraffin suspensions with 1 and 250 mg mL^–1 99 and 109% was found for intra-assay accuracy. Intra-assay precision was 5% (C.V.). Reliable results over a wide concentration range can be obtained. The procedure is considered valid for determination of the analyte in aqueous solution or microcrystalline paraffin oil suspensions.     

Pyrethroids as household insecticides: analysis, indoor exposure and persistence

Summary Natural pyrethrins from insecticidal pyrethrum extract and pyrethroids (e.g. allethrin, tetramethrin, permethrin, cyphenothrin, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin) are active ingredients in insecticidal formulations such as powder, sprays, impregnated paper for electro-evaporators, mosquito coils, and solutions for wood treatment, all mainly intended for indoor use. Some commercial preparations contain also non-pyrethroid insecticides, such as dichlorovos, propoxur, or phoxim, and piperonyl butoxid as synergist. High-resolution gas-chromatography with oncolumn injection and FID and ECD detection is employed for the analysis of these insecticides in commercial formulations, in air during and after indoor application, and as residues on surfaces. The total input of pyrethroids into a large room amounts to 1 to 30 mg. The concentrations of the pyrethrins and pyrethroids in air (2 to 300 g/m³) and their deposition on surfaces (up to 1000 g/m²) reveal possible exposure of humans by inhalation (e.g. 30 g allethrin or 60 g tetramethrin) or by skin resorption (e.g. 200 g allethrin and up to 1000 g tetramethrin). The insecticides deposited on surfaces and some readily formed transformation products persist for 60 h or longer.Partly presented at the 7th International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry in Hamburg, August 5–10, 1990     

Simultaneous determination of lomefloxacin,fenbufen and felbinac in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography

Summary A simple, specific, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for simultaneous determination of the lomefloxacin, febufen, and felbinac in human plasma. Plasma-spiked with internal standard, was vortex-mixed for 1 min with a mixture of dichloromethane-diethylether (80:20, v/v). The evaporated extract was dissolved in 0.02 M NaOH. The extracts were chromatographed on an Supelcosil LCSAX column (5 m 250×4.6 mm I.D.) equipped with a guard column with a mibile phase composed of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer, with ultraviolet detection. Drugs were resolved at ambient temperature on a flow rate was 1.2 mL min^–1, and monitoring was performed at 280 nm. The detection limits for lomefloxacin was 0.05 g mL^–1, 0.02 g mL^–1 for fenbufen and 0.03 g mL^–1 for felbinac. No interference from other commonly administered drugs or endogenous substances was observed. The method is fast since it involves two extraction steps followed by evaporation of organic solvent and chromatography of the residue. This method was found to be applicable to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of each drug after the concomitant administration of lomefloxacin and febufen.     

Salicylhydroxamic acid as an analytical reagent

Summary Salicylhydroxamic acid has been used as a colorimetric reagent for the estimation of uranium, vanadium, molybdenum and iron. It permits the direct estimation of vanadium in presence of molybdenum and uranium, though iron interferes, while the estimation of uranium or molybdenum is not possible in presence of each other or of vanadium. The vanadium complex can be removed from solution by extraction with ethyl acetate and estimated colorimetrically between p_H 0.8 to 3.5. This permits its determination in steels after removal of iron. Sensitivity: U 0.1 g, V 0.017 g, Mo 0.015 g, Fe 0.0125 g.     

Simultaneous determination of neodymium and erbium in rare earth mixture with 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline and TX-100 by third-derivative spectrophotometry

The absorption spectra of 4f electron transitions of the complexes of neodymium and erbium with 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline in the presence of octylphenol poly(ethyleneglycol)ether have been studied by normal and third-derivative spectrophotometry. The proposed method is free of interference of other rare earths. The calibration graphs were linear up to 18 g/ml of neodymium and 21 g/ml of erbium (in the final solution). The derivative molar absorptivities are 395 l.mol^–1.cm^–1 for neodymium and 3421.mol^–1.cm^–1 for erbium. The corresponding values of Sandell's sensitivity were 0.36 and 0.49 g.cm^–1, respectively. The relative standard deviations evaluated from ten independent determinations of 2.5 g/ml of neodymium and erbium are 1.5 and 3.8% for neodymium and 1.8 and 4.1% for erbium in absence and presence of 70 g of lanthanum, respectively. The detection limits (signal to noise ratio=2) are 0.23 g/ml for neodymium and 0.30 g/ml for erbium. The method has been used for the determination of neodymium and erbium in mixed rare earths with satisfactory results.     

Reactivity and flexibility in platinum metal clusters

The synthesis, structural properties, and fluxional behaviour of platinum-triosmium and platinum-triruthenium clusters derived from Os₃Pt(-H)₂ (CO)₁₀(PR₃) and Ru₃Pt(-H)(-CC ^t Bu)(CO)₉ (dppe) and related species are described.